Climate-smart farmers: Tailoring information for stronger harvests

Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture, making traditional methods of relying on historical rainfall patterns insufficient. In response to this challenge, climate-smart agriculture has emerged as a critical tool in empowering smallholder farmers to increase profits and enhance resilience. CNBC Africa recently spoke with Pranav Singh, Senior Manager of New Initiatives at Microsave Consulting, to delve into the importance of climate information and its delivery to smallholder farmers. Singh emphasized the necessity of providing timely and tailored climate information to meet the specific needs of farmers. Understanding the local context, farming practices, and literacy levels of the farmers is crucial in designing effective solutions. Additionally, fostering farmer participation throughout the planning and implementation process ensures feedback loops for continuous improvement. Technology, particularly IVR-based mechanisms, plays a vital role in collecting feedback and customizing solutions to evolving climate risks and hazards. The key challenge lies in identifying the most effective delivery channels for disseminating climate information to smallholder farmers. While SMS services are widespread, they may pose challenges for illiterate farmers. Audio-based voice recordings and IVR systems offer alternative channels, while digital technologies provide visual aids for enhanced understanding. Community radio and kiosks also serve as effective means of information dissemination, albeit with limitations. Singh highlighted the effectiveness of a hybrid approach that combines physical presence with digital technology to build trust among farmers and enhance information uptake. Public-private partnerships and government collaboration are essential components of the value chain in climate-smart agriculture. Governments must strengthen communication infrastructure and institutional capacity to deliver accurate climate forecasts tailored for agricultural use. Investing in infrastructure, capacity building, and demonstration projects are crucial for promoting the adoption of climate information and practices among farmers. Data integration is key to measuring the impact of climate information on farming practices. Evaluating variables such as crop yields and disaster resilience helps gauge the effectiveness of climate-smart programs. Ongoing monitoring through online or in-person surveys ensures active farmer engagement and benefits realization. Remote sensing technologies offer cost-effective methods for measuring vegetation cover and yield to enhance impact evaluations. Continuous progress measurement is essential to validate the efficacy of climate-smart agriculture initiatives and drive further investment.